Valve



Nov. 11, 1952 I J, c. HoBBs VALVE Filed March 29, 1946 INVENTOR. JAM/55- amies/VCE HOBBS 'tofoverloadingtheclosure device r Patented Nov. 11, 1952 UNI-'riso STATES PATENT 'oFFicE-f vALvEf A James clariiceibbs, Painesviue, ohio Application Marches, isfisfseriamd. 658;'338

` (ci. 21st-fai) lfClxisl 1\ y The= present invention relates generally' to valves va-nclfmore particularly toI packless valves .of novelgeonstrution and-- greatv utility and practieability inbothj high andlow `pressure fluid systems; Y if -Packless-:valvesareessential infcertain systems; such as those-operating undervaeuum-and where l any leakagefwhatever is objectionable and also able-successj-:i` Specifically the', valve:v of kthis' .vin-V vention:includesfneither; theA spring non the bushing ,common toimany previously; known.-

Thlisi valve; -in-- addi-tionto-beiyng` free lfrom the short-comingsof the priori art. devices;v is i easily andfiectively. operatedi evenfin itsl smallest form inehigh` pressure*systemsf-of substantial pressure line: cross: section because i of the accessibility of the f-.externalvalvethread andi th'eqmechanicfalf; advantage provided by thatthread#V Thisfimef cl i ar1i ca l y advantage, however,gj -is\` intentionally limited toi lprevent"damageqto fthe :valve-seat due', Ailso, the-valve is' in expe r1 si ve,t consi-stingpnly -of a3 few parts,f nearly. al l-ofY whichioaniflqe inexpensively manu# f aetu'ed :oniaisrew: inachine, and .can be: readily assembled and ise'rviced;v l \/Ior eoi fer,=v during use and-when.. the-.valveaetuating means isA not posi--l sani imei however, gthe. closurejdeviceis preji yvent d" from-being displaced entirely ifrom operi ananasiimzoirviive pal parts, -viz,an externally ,threaded and ge'r'i'er'l-V ally 1T-shaped yvalve body T, a closure piece I, abellows 2,- anda cylindricalv internally threaded @p3-o4 l, vAs illustrated, valve-body T consists ofv cylindricalarms 1I and-5 and cylindrical leg. Arms #and 5 are provided with axiallyv disposedre- `cesses I and 8, respectively, opening intopassageways 9'and I0, respectively, and'adapted to r'eceive'conduits Il and I2, respectively, infiiuid-Y tighti contact, Leg- 6 is likewise provided with an axially disposed chamber or recess I3 with which vsaid passageways communicatethrogli portsY I4 and I 5 thus `defining a continuous pas# sage for fluid through-,the valve body from con'- duitjII to conduitI2. :Port I4 is provided .with a' valve seat I6 to .receive the closurepiece in valve-sealing contact; The leg portion isiurther provided with external threads Il along its side andari-annular yrib I8situated atits end and disposed axiallyA with-- respect to recess I3.

Closure piece I comprises a v.cylindrically shaped,V elongated stem I9 having a hemispherical recessx2|ly centrally disposedin one end, anda hard `metal ball ZI'retained in said recess. In

. the assembly the stem is disposed partially within recess I3, and ball 2|` is engaged with valve seat I6, sealing the valve.

Bellows 2 comprises a shallow, cupf-s'haped, metal body portion Aif 2` and acylindricalfskirt portion 2 3; integrally formed with the ybody portion. Said-bellows-body'portion is carried as a cap:

i by` -stem I 9, b einginverted' and enclosing' the unrecessedend of saidi'ste'm and loeirig crimped toythe stein; Thefbellows skirt 2 3)- depefnds from iheisid body pornofilm is ariane@ in; siasi; tight contact torno- I8 ofthe valve body, thus closing recess' I 3. The joint between thebellowsf and the valve body is symmetrical ,and'f therefore suitable -iorinc'l uctio nv soldering ofthe comparaV tively thick body and the light, ,thinbellows skirt. Cap ,3- Yis a cup-shaped element vhaving anni ternally threaded portion 24 in thefvici'nity off sf open-end ,fandhavingan axially disposedendvvall portion 25 ofincreased thickness;V constituting an internal rounded button-like projection: shown, cap 3 isengaged with the valve'body` throughV threadsf I'I of said i body" and thread'sllZ of said cap, and-encloses said bellows. 'Iflrugliv to the valve body to a substantial extent so that a conscious elfort would be required to remove the cap from the valve body.

The valve of Fig. 2 comprises five principal parts, viz, a generally T-shaped valve body T1, a closure piece 26, a bellows 21, a bonnet 28, and a cap 29.

Valve body Ti consists of cylindrical arms 39 and 3| and ,cylindrical leg 32 which is provided with an axially disposed recess 33 and with an integrally formed, rigid, relatively thin, cylindrical skirt 34 bearing threads 35 on its internal surface and threads 3S on its external surface and having an inside diameter less than the diameter of' said leg and an outside diameter greater thanv that of said leg. In the end surface portion of leg 32, between recess 33 and skirt 34, is a shallow annular depression 31. Overlying most of this end surface portion, including' said depression, is an elastomeric, relatively thin, nat gasket ring 38.

Arms 30 and 3| are provided with axially dis-- posed recesses 39 and 49, respectively, which receive conduits 4| and 42, respectively, in fluidtight contact, and are provided with passageways 43 and 44, respectively. Said passageways communicatively connect said conduits with recess 33, and open into said recess through ports 45 and 46, port 45 serving passageway 43 and being adapted to-contact closure piece 2B to prevent flow of fluid from passageway 4I into recess 33.

Closure piece 2B comprises cylindrical, elongated stem 41 having an end portion of reduced.

diameter and a recess 48 in the opposite end, and an elastomeric disc 49 carried in said recess. As illustrated, stem 41 is disposed vertically and partially within recess 33 with disc 49 out of contact with the portion 59 of the surface of the recess floor immediately encompassing port 45 and serving as the valve seat.

Bellows 39 comprises a cup-shaped, metal body portion and anl integrally formed, relatively thin 'and flexible skirt 52. The body portion in this assembly is carried as a cap by the reduced end portion of stem 41 to which said portion is soldered. The skirt depends from said body portion and is suitably attached to bonnet 28. The joint between the bellows and the bonnet is symmetrical like that of the joint of the bellows and valve body of Fig'.v :1,Y and is likewise suitable for induction soldering of the comparatively heavy bonnet and the bellows skirt. y

The bonnet 28f fis cylindrical and isprovided with threads 53 in its outer surface, anY axially disposed opening-54 in its top, and a flange 55 at its open end'extending radially inward. This element is engaged threadwise with the valve body through threads 53 and threads 35 of valve body skirt portion 34. The shoulder of opening 54 bears upon body'EI of bellows39 and flange 55 is secured in fluid-tight connection to the open (lower) end of the bellows skirt 52. i

Cap 29 is cylindrical and generally cup-shaped and is provided with threads 56 upon its internal surface andan inwardly extending, axially disposed button 59 integrally formed with the closed vend of the cap and having a rounded top or contact surface portion. The open end of the cap is provided with an inwardly disposed lip portion 58.V In the assembly this cap is engagedrwith the valve bodyA through threads A36 of the skirt Y34 and Y threads 55,; and contacts bellows body'59 through button 59 which extends Vthrough lopening 54 in bonnet y28. Thus capV 29 enclosesY bonnet 28, bellows 21 and closure piece 26, in addition to a portionofthe valve body including skirt 34, pro- Yfaces and preventing perfect fluid-tight closure of the valve.

Here, again, due to the nature of the contact between button 59 and bellows body 59, there is no tendency for the valve stem to wobble when the cap is moved to close the valve even if the cap isnot in perfect axial alignment with the stem.

With-reference to Fig. 3, stem 59 corresponds in shape, dimensions, function and elfect to that of the stems of Figs. 1 and 2 except that it is provided with la generally U-shaped recess, in cross section and the base is rounded and the walls or skirt 69 of the stein dening the sides of the recess describe an opening which is relatively small in cross section. Elastomeric-insert or disc' 6| carried in the recess corresponds in function and effect to disc 49 of Fig. 2 but is retained more firmly and securely than said disc, being disposed within the recess so that its center is substantially within the recess with respect to a plane passing through the open end of skirt 69 and so that the disc is tightly pressed against the rounded base of the recess.

The utility and assembly and maintenance advantages of this novel valve closure piece of my invention are obvious and important.

effected with this element is equally as eiective as with conventional prior art devices and the closure piece of Fig. 2. Assembly and maintenance are simple and easy, especially as com-' In the use of the valve of Fig. 1, a ud, the

flow of which is to be controlled by the valve, is introduced into the valve body through conduit I I to passageway 9. With stem I9 disposed to permit passage of the iiud through port I4, the fluidows into recess I3 and out through port I5 and passageway I0 to conduit I2. closed space or chamber defined by the bellows 2, recess I3 and the valve body is fllled with said uid as flow commences, and the fluid pressure in that chamber corresponds approximately to that in passageway ID with which said chamber communicates through port I5. of now is required, cap 3 is turned to further thread the part upon leg 6, thus urging bellows body portion 22 toward recess I3 and consequently urging valve stem I9 and ball 2| toward valve seat I6. As this motion continues, bellows skirt -23 is compressed in accordion-like manner until finally the surface of ball 2| comprising therotating cap 3 in the other direction to partially disengage the said threads.

In using the valve of Fig. 2, the fluid is intro- I duced into the valve body through conduit 4I and,V in accordance with the disposition of valve In use in the depicted valve assembly the sealing The en- As restriction flowizbeginsy of course, fuid' lls` recess 33,",.th`e cylindrical f space within the bellows 'skirt and the spacebetween `the recess land said skirt 'de' nedby. the bonnet 28, bonnet iiangeaand tlivalve'wbodyT, as it' does the corresponding.; chamber or'space in the-valve of Fig. 1 The -iiuid` pressuref'in said Achamber and `@recess 33 'closely i; corresponds tothat in passagewayf44 which come Iriunicates*v therewith;` As flo'w decreases -s are; desiredilthe-Zvalve-lclosure piece sis' positionedA tot# accomplish-this, and f even to* entirely Yprevent` idwhbetween'conduits 4l and 42 "if neces# sarybyrotation of cap'29 tofurge'bellows body portionf`50 toward port"45 and thus forceithe valve stem 41 and `its elastomeric dis`c149 toward" sailpo'rt until the sealing ring,which'is"a por'-A tion--oithe surface of the elastomeric n'iaterial;1= issuciently close to the-valve'seat,` which-'isl aportion `of the areafsurrounding vport'vlllpthat iiuidl `flow through this port is adeduatelyjdi-r minished. Obviously, movement ofthe'- capl toy openf-the'valve, that is, to remove the sealingring fr'mthe val've fseat, is: accomplished byl rotating",`` thlcap'in the opposite direction, thusrelievi'n'g i. pressure lupon thevalv'e stem andpermitting Ivement of the stern and the bellowsbodyaway from port 45. Depending-*uponthedisposition# ofthe -bonnet, such movement ymay "contine-*a* shortf'lor `a comparatively ilong distance `but #is arrested -whenfthe body-portion of `the bellovvsv engagesfthe shoulder 0f opening 54 of the bonneti Thehposition 1 of the bonnet with respectf to `the valve' body and l`valve stem is, ofcourse, Adeter mined before cap 26" isengaged with thehvalve f body- Lto enclose the assembly.`V Thus in faccord- 35@ and bonnet. The Vcost of this v^cnveinience#1s-ff notparticularly large; amountingonly to abo`n` net having internal as well as external threads and a-gaskvet1for sealingy these parts when required. The valve of Fig. 1, on the other hand, has the obvious 'advantage of an easily accessible bellows. V y 55 Recesses `1 'and 8 'of Fig.` 1 and` 39"and 40 of Fig. 2 are preferably formed WithicareV and with" regard to thecross-.section dimensions of the pipes tofbe received in them in order thata 1 minimum of time and heat are required to eiiect thexsealing-oi the vvalve bodiesand pipes. As indicated, the sealing is accomplished withsilver scjlder and the ts are so close that by Ythe inv duction heating technique soldering is Yfinished quickly`A and without over heatingthe valve' body andgdamaging the valve seats orthe bellows or` bellowsjoints;

In operation, the two valves are-equallyefrectivefin containing or excluding `fluids, neitherA ofl them permitting escape of detectable quantities off-fluidof the system or in-leakage lof fluid.y

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that in additionto1-tl`ie bellows-shown in the illustrated: valves, a second or even a third belf lows element might-,be includedto.. provide Piurportion, comprising merely ra flexiblemetallcylin-F der adaptedv tobe compressedand expanded in accordion-like vmanner and attached'ito" thewalveii; closure .piece and the "valve 'bodyor'i-bnnetima be" employed' successfully :to 'accomplishf the' llobi jects of rthis invention. The bellows mayii'be multiple ply.

Theseal between the fbellow's skirtandtheffvalve 'body inthe valvefofFig; 1 andbetwe'enf the bellows skirt and the vflange of' thefval've''b'on"" net in the valve of Fig.v 2"may befelectedbyizi any suitable technique, but preferablyfisaccorn'- plished .by.1solderir'1g;.v Likewise'the bellows cap or bodyv pcrtioriv may vbe,` securedY to fthe\'va1ve':1 stem by solder instead of.or in additionV torthel crimp, illustrated.y

Furthermore, .it should be; understdod1thatthefl elastomeric disc lilfwhich affords anl elastomerioi? sealing ring, might be composed lof: any suitabletrl rubber-like4 substancesfsuch 'as *naturalirubberf andthe various synthetic-rubberand"rubber-like materials and that certain metals; such asi leadrf which are readily deformable;1 -arev also `suitable i ior'thepurpose.v Likewise `the-ball?! might'be'f elastomeric or offlead or the? like; undencertain;y circumstances, and-between-fthe valves of Figi 1 1. and Fig.. 2 there may be substitution of the seajling-` ring material. Also,- thev sealing ringf may be i formed integrally and homogeneously lwith:v the valve stem in-eithercase.

As a-matter of practice,in-manufacturing :the: valve of Fig.-1,\Ihave prepared-the valve seat by applying force to vthe-valve *stem land urging@ the ball into contact with theport M and distort-l ing.` said port until its-surface `conforms itc' `the-:1; shape of the sealing ring' to alimited degree =`lso -z that afsurface, rather than aline,- contact -be-f tween the sealing ring ,and valveseatcan'beff obtained. Perfect geometric seating:` is vthus; ass: suredl evenl when the stem'v is;V not 'in alignment l with the axis of the inlet port.

As shown and described, I prefer 'to use' the part -underthe' stem and 'sealing ringV as the@` inlet part. `It' isfhowever, possible*and-"in'rsomefgk instances desirable to use: thatY asV the outlet :partirl vor alternatively Ias the inletand the outletfparty and I contemplate suchfuse."`

Afurther. convenientY feature of, the'valve off Fig. 2 isslipped portion 58rof thecap. Asis obyi' ous :from the; illustration," it would' be practically i impossible unknowinglyftoremove the"capfirorrlfengagement "with the valve bodysince conscious .1 effort would 'be :requiredu to' force" the inwar'dly` disposedlip `of the capi-overthe valve body, which"VA is necessary before'the cap can be removed fromf the engagement with thebody. Springs-ofthe valve of Fig. 11,of course, serves 'the sainepur-'H pose. and Vthese two means mayy lbe 'combinediin one assembly. or employed interchangeablylwith f valves ofthe type hereindescribed ortheir equiv-"1` alents; It will be'fappreciated,"though,`fthat"as* a safety 'measure to `protect the'bellows orthse? valves,-.thes'eA springs or lips `are not:essentia1=ele'" ments kof. thesevalves rbut that they are especially r desirable'in valvesof the 1 variety whichr have no` bonnet or. other `secondary. bellews'pro-Y tecting devicex Y f Thoser` skilledl in the-art I will appreciate that'` the illustratedl valves: may 'be' modified .without L' ydeparting v from. the `spirit of this f invention.' lori` x 'sacrificing its"imp'orta'nt;= advantages '.by' ex-tends.

ing the valve stem through the bellows and into direct contact with the cap handle or the valve bonnet, depending upon the form of valve and the individuals preference. In such a valve the stem would suitably be attached, as by welds, to the bellows and the bellows might consist of an open ended, corrugated cylinder or might differ fromthose herein illustrated except foran opening through the body portion to receive the valve stem.

Having thus described the present invention so that others skilled in the art may be able to understand and practice the same, I state that what I desire to secure by Letters Patent is de` fined in what is claimed.

What is claimed is: 1. A valve comprising a body having a valve stem recess and inlet and outlet ports leading therefrom, a member movable in the recess to regulate ow of fluid through said recess, means associated with said member and engaged with the valve body for positively moving the member to close the valve, and means cooperating with said body for resiliently moving said member to open said valve, said valve opening means comprising a single piece metal bellows secured to said member and having fluid sealing engagement with said body and having a wall portion of increased thickness contacting said member and the member-moving means.

2. A valve comprising a body having a valve stem recess and inlet and outlet ports leading therefrom, a member movable in the recess to regulate flow of uid through said recess, means rotatable relative to and associated with said member and engaged with the valve body for positively moving the member to close the valve, and means cooperating with said body for re'- siliently moving said member to open said valve, said valve opening means comprising a single piece metal bellows secured to said member and `having fluid sealing engagement with said body and havingan end wall of increased thickness contacting said member and the member-moving means.

3. A valve comprising a body having a valve associated with said member and engaged with the valve body for positively moving the memberto close the valve, and means cooperating with said body for resiliently moving said member to open said valve, said valve opening means consisting of a single piece metal bellows secured to said member and having fluid sealing engagement with said body and having an end wall portion of increased thickness contacting said member and the member-moving means.

4. A valve comprising a body having a valve stem recess and inlet and outlet ports leading therefrom, a member movable in the recess to regulate ow of fluid through said recess, means rotatable relative to and associated with said member and engaged with the body for positively moving the member to close the valve, and means cooperating with said body for resiliently moving said member to open said valve, said valve opening means comprising a single piece metal bellows having a skirt portion Welded to said body around said memberV and around one of said outlet ports and having a body portion of increased thickness engaged with the rotatable member-moving means and secured to said member for movement therewith.

5. A valve comprising a body having a'valve stem recess and inlet and outlet ports leading therefrom, a member movable in the recess to regulate flow of uid through said recess, means rotatable relative to and associated with said member and engaged with the valvebody for positively moving the member to close the valve, means cooperating with said body for resiliently moving said member to open said valve, said valve opening means' comprising a single piece metal bellows secured to said member, said bellows being generally cup-shaped and having an end wall of increased thickness contacting said valve member and contacting said rotatable member-moving means, means for limiting movement of said member toward its open position comprising a bonnet screwed onto the body and secured iiuid tightly to the valve opening means, and means comprising an elastomeric gasket fluid-sealingly engaging said body and valve opening means.

6. A valve comprising a body having a recess provided with an open end and inlet and outlet ports, a valve movable in said recess to regulate flow of fluid between said ports, said valve including a stem, a cap adjustably connected to the body for actuating said valve stem endwise in one direction to close the valve, and a bellows' secured at one end to said body and at the other end to said stem and enclosing said open end of the recess and the valve stem, said bellows serving to actuate the stem endwise in the opposite direction to open the valve, said bellows having afthickened end wall overlying the end of said stem.

7. A valve comprising a body having a recess provided with an open end and inlet and outlet ports, a valve movable in said recess to regulate flow of fluid between said ports, said v alve including a stem, a cap adjustably connected to the body for actuating said valve stem endwise in one direction to close the valve, a bellows secured at one end to said body and at the other end tosaid stem and enclosing said open end of the recess and the valve stem, said bellows serving to actuate the stem endwise in the opposite direction to open the valve, and means for limiting the extent of valve opening movement of the valve stem comprising-a bonnet connected to said body within said cap and outside` of said bellows, said bellows having a thickened end wall overlying the end of said stem. V

JAMES CLARENCE HQBBS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Namey Date 935,842 Foley 1 Oct.- A5, 1909 1,252,702 Kelly Jan. 8, 1918 1,773,110 Meyers l Aug. 19, 1930 1,859,834 May T Mayv 24, 1932 1,956,027 Heitman Apr. 24, 1934 1,992,902 McIntosh 1^-; Feb. 26, 1935 2,001,251 Irving May 14, 1935 2,044,443 ott June 16, 1936 2,068,626 Y Clifford Jan. 19, 1937 2,122,398 Harrison ,July 5, 1938 2,280,499 Perkins Apr. 21, 1942 2,388,046 Emerich Oct. 30, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 5,303 Switzerland of 1892 

